Book Reviews of In Cold Blood

If you've seen the film, you still have to read the book. This is the STORY that the film, Capote, is about. The way this is written is interesting and as is said in the film, it reads like fiction. In case you are interested in journalism and creative nonfiction, this is one of the earliest books that used this "new journalism" as it was called at the time. For anyone interested in this kind of writing, Capote's book is an example to behold.

Truman Capote really dug deep into the psyche of 2 cold-blooded, basically psychopathic, murderers in this true crime story. You can tell an enormous amount of research went into this book. Capote created a quite disturbing yet strangely fascinating psychological portrait of the 2 killers. Not necessarily a short read, since there are no chapters just large breaks in paragraphs, but it's never boring and well worth the read.

It was slow at first, but I loved everything about it. I loved the attention to detail to the point I felt I was there. I loved the emotion that was expressed in the book. I love how he was able to take a true crime story that was so emotional, but at the same time make it a good read.

I've read many true crime stories and this was far my favorite.

This book is a beautifully written piece of journalistic prose. It was entrancing to read and definately not for the faint of heart. Capote manages to portray the characters - from victim to killer and everyone in between - in a very real light and in a very short period usually. This book rings of truth in the fatalistic way of justice and fallen man. One of the best written books I've read in awhile.

This one of the classic books that is based on true events. I really love how Copote writes. It is like you actually know the people in the book. I read this for the first time when I was about 16 years old. It has remained close to the top of my all time favorite books. On the same level as "To Kill A Mockingbird". Rich in detail and seems to follow the facts of the case very closely. Please read this book! It is amazing!

Actual true crime in the 1950's. A movie was made of this. In Cold Blood is about 2 ex convicts scheming on a supposedly "wealthy" farmer , who they were told in prison , kept a lot of cash in a personal safe in his home. They go there and end up killing the entire family. I think they got about five or ten bucks. They both end up with the death penalty.

The subject matter was horrifying, but the writing was so beautiful, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Amazon.com
"Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans--in fact, few Kansans--had ever heard of Holcomb. Like the waters of the river, like the motorists on the highway, and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptional happenings, had never stopped there." If all Truman Capote did was invent a new genre--journalism written with the language and structure of literature--this "nonfiction novel" about the brutal slaying of the Clutter family by two would-be robbers would be remembered as a trail-blazing experiment that has influenced countless writers. But Capote achieved more than that. He wrote a true masterpiece of creative nonfiction. The images of this tale continue to resonate in our minds: 16-year-old Nancy Clutter teaching a friend how to bake a cherry pie, Dick Hickock's black '49 Chevrolet sedan, Perry Smith's Gibson guitar and his dreams of gold in a tropical paradise--the blood on the walls and the final "thud-snap" of the rope-broken necks.

This is a true crime book about the murder of a whole family that took place in Kansas in the late 1950's.

great read. interesting. didn't make me squeemish

This was probably one of the first true crime stories i ever read, years ago--lots of years ago--You know how when you read a good book it stays in your memory? Well it still has a lasting effect on me. I believe because i found the book so interesting i have been drawn to true crime ever since. I would read this again, it was that well written.

Terrible and excellent at the same time, Capote is brilliant in the way that he builds the true story of a Kansas farm family's murder and the two men behind it. What is interesting about the story is how Capote built a relationship with the murderers and how he was able to get their version of events. This is a very important book to American literature and not to be missed!

I read this book in Paris, I clearly remember sitting in bed with the breeze blowing into the room from the small terrace when I got to the place where the murders are accomplished: I literally froze, terrified. A year or so ago, I re-read it, shocked at my lack of real emotion to the same exact scene. That's what happens to you after watching the Towers you saw go UP (it was the new view at the end of Sullivan Street) come DOWN in two minutes.

This book is a classic, required reading for students of American literature.

The story is truly fascinating. I do think the writing dragged a bit in some places, but overall a good book.

It is truly a testament to the talent of Truman Capote that this book is still fresh and riveting after so many years of publication.

Excellent book. Was definitely one of the first true crime books, though written as a novel. Had to remind myself that Truman didn't make this stuff up, and that all the characters (crazy or otherwise) were real. A very good book and quick read.

Classic! Very well written and chilling.

Brand new copy released when the movie came out. The book is very specific, great read IF you are one for details.

Outstanding, quick read.

We saw the movie, "Capote" and had to find this book - a fast read-gripping, true life story.

I am glad I read this book, the first of its kind! Definate must read for mystery and true crime readers

Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and investigation that led to the capture trial and execution of the killers of a family of four in a small town called Holcomb, Kansas in 1959.

I sincerely doubt that this famous book needs a review. One of the best I've ever read.

On Nnov 15,1959 in small town of Holcomb Kansas 4 members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime and there were almost no clues. Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers. A great read.

Fascinating read. Extraordinarily well written. Capote's ability to make you feel for a murderer is astounding. Deserves its status as a classic of crime non-fiction.

Fascinating read. Extraordinarily well written. Capote's ability to make you feel for a murderer is astounding. Deserves its status as a classic of crime fiction.

Awesome, scare the pants off of you real crime! The book that started the true crime genre!

Chilling and detailed account of a family's murder. My first Truman Capote read and am amazed at his detail and ability to write objectively about these monsters. Really gripped me, hard to put down.

Excellent account of a real-life multiple murder.

If you are looking for a book that will take you into the minds of killers, then this is the book for you.

never read but would rather pass it on that collect dust on my shelf.

I can now fully understand why this book is such a classic. Truman Copote captures the lives and thoughts of the killers and the townspeople so well.

This is a really good book, but If you like true-crime, this may disappoint you some. Capote dove deep into the characterization of the villians in the book. I actually skipped a lot of the details to get to the details of the murder, and how the murderers were captured. I also watched the movie, and was stunned to see that the movie made Mr. Capote much more involved than he really was with the killers. Either way, it was a good read.

Very good...a little slow in some spots.

I never read this in school, so I decided to read it this year. Very well-written and suspenseful.

I had always meant to read this book, but never did. Of course, seeing the film "Capote" made me finally do it, and I'm glad I did. Capote's an amazing writer, and really puts the reader smack dab in rural Kansas, 1959.

Because of the hype surrounding this book (the fact that it is the first real "true crime" book, as well as the recent movie "Capote"), I was intrigued. However, the book doesn't live up to the hype at all. Capote completely fictionalizes most of the book, writing thoughts and conversations to which he was never privy. While the nature of the crime is shocking, the writing about it was disappointing.

Fantastic character study of a horrific crime.

Could've been 100 pages shorter. Parts were very interesting.

The writing style does not match the style of today. It is in a class all its own. You can tell that Truman Capote was changed by writing this book.

This book is an incredible work of writing. I became interested in it when I saw the film Capote (also terrific) I wanted to read what all the fuss was about. When I was reading it I couldn't help but be impressed how well the characters were fleshed out. Capote manages to have you feel sympathy for the bad guy without feeling that there was any injustice done in the hanging. He doesn't glorify them he simply shows you there character. He also shows the character of the victims of this tragedy with equal weight. Flawless.

The best Non-Fiction book I've ever read.

excellent and thought provoking book!

A classic

A gruesome, riveting story told by an awesome writer.

True story,very chilling.

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